23 Janu.TAG Heuer Carrera CMC Concept Chronograph

The TAG Heuer CARRERA CMC CONCEPT CHRONOGRAPH is one of TAG Heuer’s most futuristic interpretation yet of the iconic Carrera, the motor-sports inspired watch designed by Jack Heuer in 1963. Made of the identical space-age carbon composite pioneered in Formula One and the aerospace industry, and powered by the brand’s in-house designed and manufactured chronograph movement, the TAG Heuer CARRERA CMC CONCEPT CHRONOGRAPH is super light and unbelievably resistant. With a case inspired by the award-winning CARRERA MIKROGIRDER, the TAG Heuer CARRERA CMC CONCEPT CHRONOGRAPH pushes watchmaking design and technology to a new extreme expression of the avant-garde.

The primary source of inspiration for the TAG Heuer CARRERA CMC CONCEPT CHRONOGRAPH is the original 1963 Carrera–the first sports chronograph designed specifically for professional drivers and sports-car enthusiasts. The case design, however, is based on 2012‘s breakthrough CARRERA MIKROGRIDER, which was named Swiss Watch of the Year at last November’s Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, winning the prestigious Aiguille d’Or, watchmaking most coveted distinction.

The TAG Heuer CARRERA CMC CONCEPT CHRONOGRAPH shares the Mikrogirder’s distinctive asymmetrical “bullhead” case with base horns design. The crown and chronograph pushers are mounted at 12 o’clock, like a classic stopwatch. The fundamental difference, however, is the material used — Carbon Matrix Composite — and the extremely complicated miniaturized manufacturing process required to use it — both world firsts in the watchmaking industry.

The TAG Heuer CARRERA CMC CONCEPT CHRONOGRAPH’s case, back and bezel are made from thin carbon fibers organized as on a isotropic matrix. The reinforced fabric, which is only 0.007mm thick, is structured to build the components into 3D form, then heated and compacted to transform by a means of a chemical reaction the soft, flexible layers into a super rigid form.

The TAG Heuer manufacturing method, which until now was primarily used in F1 and aeronautics, facilitates watch production, and allows for intricate detailing and machining with fewer geometrical constraints and an exceptionally high degree of precision. The edges of the case middle, for example, are astonishingly detailed. Having passed all of TAG Heuer’s rigorous quality controls, the timepiece will also age much better than a conventional watch, with fewer scratches and signs of wear. Its extreme lightness also translates into ultimate comfort.

Inside ticks the famous CALIBRE 1887, TAG Heuer’s first movement built in-house. Manufactured after 4 years of intensive R&D in 2011 to mark the brand’s 150th anniversary, the integrated column-wheel chronograph movement contains 320 parts. It is a radical re-engineering of one of Edouard Heuer’s greatest contributions to watchmaking: the oscillating pinion of 1887.